The nurse is assessing a patient who has been admitted to the emergency department for a possible opioid overdose. Which assessment finding is characteristic of an opioid drug overdose?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Respiration rate of 6 breaths/minute. Opioid overdose can cause respiratory depression, leading to a dangerously low respiration rate. This is a hallmark sign of opioid toxicity as opioids depress the central nervous system, including the respiratory center. Dilated pupils (A) are more characteristic of stimulant overdose. Restlessness (B) is not a typical symptom of opioid overdose, as opioids usually cause sedation. While opioids can lower heart rate (D), it is not as specific or as life-threatening as severe respiratory depression.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Internal and superficial bleeding. Thrombolytic therapy works by breaking down blood clots, which can lead to bleeding as a side effect. This occurs because the medication can also affect the body's ability to form clots at the site of injury. Internal and superficial bleeding are the most common and serious adverse effects of thrombolytic therapy. Dysrhythmias (choice A) are not typically associated with thrombolytic therapy. Nausea and vomiting (choice B) are common side effects of many medications, but not specifically thrombolytic therapy. Anaphylactic reactions (choice C) are rare but serious allergic reactions and are not the most common undesirable effect of thrombolytic therapy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: at a therapeutic level. The therapeutic range for theophylline is typically 10-20 mcg/mL. A level of 13 mcg/mL falls within this range, indicating the drug is at an appropriate concentration to provide therapeutic effects without causing toxicity. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the established therapeutic range for theophylline. A level below the therapeutic range (Choice A) would indicate subtherapeutic effects, whereas a level above the therapeutic range (Choice C) would suggest potential for toxicity. A level at a toxic level (Choice D) would indicate a concentration that is harmful to the patient.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because biotransformation refers to the process of physicochemical and biochemical alteration of a drug in the body. This process involves converting a drug into metabolites that are more easily excreted. Choice A is incorrect as it describes accumulation in fat tissue, not transformation. Choice B is incorrect as it refers to binding with plasma proteins, not transformation. Choice C is incorrect as it mentions accumulation in a tissue, not transformation. Thus, only choice D accurately defines biotransformation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The term "potentiation" refers to the intensive increase of drug effects due to their combination. This is the correct answer because potentiation occurs when one drug enhances the effects of another drug when taken together. It's important to note that potentiation is different from cumulative ability (A), which refers to the build-up of a drug's effects over time. It is also distinct from hypersensitivity (B), which is an exaggerated response to a drug due to individual factors. Additionally, potentiation is not the same as fast tolerance developing (C), which is when the body becomes less responsive to a drug with repeated use. In summary, the correct answer, option D, best describes the concept of potentiation in pharmacology.